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Equine Referral Hospitals San Diego
San Luis Rey Equine Hospital
Established in 1971, by Doctors Jay and Ethel Rose, San Luis Rey Equine Hospital has earned a strong national and international reputation as an outstanding equine hospital.
This facility has pioneered equine abdominal surgery, radiographic technique, and nuclear scintigraphy. Many innovative surgical techniques, and treatment regimes have been developed at San Luis Rey Equine Hospital.
A full-service facility, the hospital provides diagnostic, medical and surgical care to horses from around the United States 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The hospital is entrusted with the care of thousands of horses each year, admitting approximately 2,100 animals.
San Luis Rey is recognized for setting standards and being on the cutting edge. The facility is especially well-known for its involvement in the treatment of the legendary Seattle Slew, arguably the greatest Thoroughbred in American racing history and a renowned sire. Inserting an implant (now known as a Seattle Slew basket) between the horse’s cervical vertebrae alleviated the crippling spinal cord compression known as Wobbler Syndrome.
Whether a beloved family pet or a world-renowned equine athlete, each horse receives exceptional attention and care at San Luis Rey. The hospital staff is composed of board certified veterinary surgeons, internists, interns and technicians. The entire team is dedicated to providing exceptional results for each patient.
Helen Woodward Equine Hospital
The Equine Hospital at the Helen Woodward Animal Center is equipped to perform a wide variety of medical procedures and services such as: Colic surgery
- Enterolith removal
- Dental repair
- Endoscopy
- Arthroscopy
- Laparoscopy
- Fracture surgery
- Recovery pool with overhead sling
- Wellness exams
- 24 hour nursing care
The hospital also has the capability to repair leg fractures. With the use of our new recovery pool (one of only three in the nation) we've reduced the risk of re-fracture often caused during wake-up after surgery. The Equine Hospital facilities include:
- A three-meter video endoscopy system
- A powerful 1200 MA X-ray unit with complete musculo-skeletal radiographic capabilities
- A well-equipped surgical suite with overhead sling support
- Emergency care
- 15 onsite stalls
- 24-hour nursing care
The Equine Hospital grants privileges to many large animal veterinarians in San Diego Country. Most of our patients are either race or show horses, but we also treat horses that live in backyards and do nothing but return the love that their owner gives.